Saturday, September 12, 2020

New Age Tech Guru - Cables and Connectors

 

Part of a series in renewal energy technologies brought by  M/s Paavi Solar

 

Friends we have come afar in knowing the components of the Rooftop Solar PV System. Today s topic is very small but important ie Solar connectors and cables.

Solar panels are connected with each other or to the solar panel combiner boxes through D.C. Cables and MC4 Connectors.

MC4 Connectors- These connectors are used for connecting solar panels or for terminating onto solar combiners boxes. MC in MC4 stands for multi-contact and 4 stands for 4 mm dia. For forming the panel strings by inserting adjacent panel connectors, MC4 connectors come in various models like One way, two-way (two in one out), three-way (three in one out), and four-way (four in one out).MC4 connectors can withstand a voltage of 1500V and are rain and dustproof  (weatherproof). These connectors have plug and socket designs (to minimize wrong connections and covered under a plastic shell. The male connector can be inserted into the female connector up to a notch where it gets attached under a spring pressure to prevent the arc from D.C. These MC4 connectors are an up-gradation over previous MC3 (3 MM dia.) connectors in design and assembly.

D.C. Cables- Solar D.C. cables are used to connect individual solar panels to form strings or used to terminate panels into combiner boxes. These single core pure copper cables are insulated (flame-retardant and halogen-free) and sheathed and can have UV protection/ozone protection as these are used outdoors. These cables can be used for fixed or flexible installations. These cables should have standard electrical/physical/mechanical/chemical/Fire safety specifications. Different D.C. cables are used for outdoors and indoors. For outdoor use D.C. must be treated with UV Stabilizing compound and preferably insulated and sheathed with Cross Linkable LSOH which has UV as well as Ozone protection properties, otherwise, indoor D.C. cables can have XLPE insulation.

A.C. Cables- Connection between inverter to Grid/ switching station and to loads are through A.C. cables and if to be laid underground must be armored and if exposed to Sunlight must be UV protected also

 

-         G P BOSE

 


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